One Injured, Homes Burned in Fresh Attack on Lujulo Village

Residents and local authorities said the attack left the community in fear after armed men reportedly stormed the village, looted property and set houses on fire before fleeing the area.

An eyewitness who witnessed the incident said the attackers demanded food and other supplies while threatening residents.

“These armed people came with guns, they took our items in the house including clothes and bedsheets and food items, they later burnt down our neighbor’s house before fleeing the area. We are tired of this fighting; we call for peace so that we can live peacefully in our village,” the resident said.

Local authorities allege that the attack was carried out by suspected holdout armed groups operating in the area.

Following the incident, Morobo County Caretaker Commissioner Moro Isaac Johnson, accompanied by the SSPDF area commander and members of other organized forces, visited the village to assess the situation, reassure residents and offer protection to affected families.

Addressing community members, the commissioner condemned the violence and called for peace.

“We must uphold human dignity,” Johnson said, urging those involved in the violence to reconsider their actions and allow communities to heal from trauma that has persisted since the 2016 conflict.

He further called on holdout groups to engage constructively with the government, saying continued violence only worsens the suffering of innocent civilians.

“We want to see a community where people can live in peace, free from fear,” he declared.

Johnson added that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) have increased their presence in the area to help restore calm and prevent further attacks.

Lujulo Payam, located west of Morobo County near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, has experienced recurring insecurity and armed clashes since the outbreak of conflict in 2016.